Sant'Arcangelo - S. Maria di Orsoleo

The old monumental complex of Santa Maria d’Orsoleo, in the area of S. Arcangelo, overlooks the villages in the Agri Valley.

In 1474 Earl Eligio della Marra had a monastery made for the Observants, including in it the old Church of S. Maria. We do not know exactly when the Church was built.

The Monastery was revised in 1600, adding some new structures. It belonged to the Minor Observants. Its cloister shows several frescos dating from 1500; amongst them there is a composition representing the ‘Pietà del Cristo’. In the Church, in one of the sides of the Monastery, there are a carved altar and a wooden polychrome ceiling.

The development of this Monastery was interrupted by some subversive laws after the Italian unification. These laws led to the abolition of all the religious orders and congregations.

Recently this monumental complex has been widely restored, giving back its ancient splendour.

In spite of the long lasting renovation, the habit of doing a religious pilgrimage to the Sanctuary on the 8th September of every year is still in use.